Fisheries Minister Nicolas Von Mally is pushing ahead with a master plan for the industry to ensure the ecological, economic, financial and social sustainability of fishing.
The minister pointed out that the seafood hub will remain a key driver of the Mauritian economy since it employs directly more than 12,000 people and more than 24,000 indirectly.
Les Assises de la Pêche, he said, will serve as a tool for the ministry to inform, consult and involve stakeholders in the development of the master plan. Les Assises de la Pêche serves as a common platform for stakeholders from all the segments of the fisheries industry.
The following themes were discussed during working sessions: Seafood Hub in Support of Fisheries Development, Fishers in the Process, Policy Orientation, Coastal and Banks Fisheries, Aquaculture, Monitoring, Control and Enforcement and Marine Protection and Conservation.
The findings of Les Assises de la Pêche will assist in addressing issues with regard to the sustainable management of fisheries and marine resources, which will then be transmitted to the ACP Fish II experts for advise on the master plan.
Fish production fell by 7.4% from 3,143 tonnes in the first half of 2009 to 2,910 tonnes for the same period of 2010. Fresh coastal fish catch increased by 13.6% while other catch decreased by 17.7%.